Oil-well drill.



H. R. DECKER, OILWELL DRILL.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 21. 1903.

N0 MODEL.

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I l'ucaaca .PATENTED JULY 7, 1903."

2 SHEETS-SHEET L PATBNTED JULY 7, 1903..

H. R. DECKER. OIL WELL DRILL. APPLIU ATIONIILED FEB. 21. 1903.

' 2 SHEETS-SHEET Z-v v .70 y [166/66]; 3146044 kw N0 MODEL.

Turns Patented July 7, 1903.

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SPECIFICATION forming part of Letter 5 Patent No. 732,925, dated July 7, 1903.

Application filed February 21, 1903.' Serial No. 144,387. (No modeLl To ctZZ whom it may concern Be it known that I, HARRY R. DECKER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Beaumont, in the county of Jeiferson and State of Texas, have invented a new and useful Oil- Well Drill, of which the following is a speciheation;

The invention relates to improvements in rotary oil-well drills for operating where the formation is of an alluvial naturewith sand and clay deposits and where it is necessary to rotate continuously a .drilhpipe through which a continuous now of water is main taiued for removing from the well the sand and clay ground or mixed up by the bitor rotary shoe of the drill-pipe.

In drilling wells strata containing oil and gas under heavy pressure are frequently encountered, and when drilled into the pressure blows everythin g out of the hole, and the well flows uncontrolled until it spends its force or is choked off by sand, clay, or rocks.

by the rotary process, the fluid in the well rushes out of the top of the casing last set through the space between the same and the drill-pipe and up through the rotary table into thederriek= If the pressure be strong enough, the drill-pipe is lifted and thrown through the top of the derrick, causing it to break ofi in partsasitbecomestoohighto supportitself. A blow-outusuallyruins thewellfordeeperdrilling, and when the well does not thoroughly purge itself of the drill-pipe the portion remaining in the well must be removedat great expense and trouble. Many wells drilled in this manner produce much sanfiilwith the flow in g oil. and soon choke up, the output of sand being as great as forty per cent. in some cases. The wells when drilled into th e oil stratum are kept clean by the agitationlof the drill-pipe and the uplift of the water from the pump, and in consequence thereof such wells flow oil naturally fora short time; but the stratum in which the oil is found being of a loose sandy formation the incoming of the oilbrings sandwith it, and thus thewell is soon choked up and ceases to produce oil, as'though the sand stratum had" never been drilled into. Fur- 5o 1thern1ore, such'wells when first drilled are kept thoroughly cleaned by the agitation of the When i a blowout occurs where a well is being drilled V drill-pipe and the removal or uplift of the loose sand by the Water or oil which is pumped down into thebottoin of the well through the drill-pipe, and these circumstances admit of the well becoming a gusher or natural-flowing well. However, the flowing of the oil through the derrick-floor stops the machinery, and once the rotation or agitation ceases and accompanies the oil begins its work of choking up the well.

The object of the present invention is to improve the construction'of rotary oil-well drills and toprovide simple, inexpensive, and efficient means for effectually anchoring the drill-pipe within the well-casing and for preventing the oil from flowing out of the top .of the well and interfering with the operation of or output of the well andat the same time enable any excessive gushing tendency to be checked.

The invention also has for its object to enable sand and oil producingwells to be successfully drilled and operated and to provide means for enablingthe sand of the stratum containing oil to be continuously agitated after a well has been drilled and to supply the oil and gas is insufficient to cause the" sand andoil to flow from the Well.

Another object of the invention is to provide means for preventing the drill-pipe from and cooperate with the couplin gs of sections got the drill-pipe and capable of permitting such couplings to pass into the .well -casing WitliQlilQOSlllg contro of the-well and the drillpipe; i *h'e'reby the dri vented from being blown out of the wellshould it be subjected to an excessive pressure at-a time when the partsare being adjusted for introducing a coupling into the well-casing.

With these and other objects in viewthe in- 95 A vention consists in the novel construction and arrangement. of ,parts hereinafter fully described,illustrated inthe accompanying drawing's, and partieularl' inted out in the claims hereto appende that changes in the form, proportion, and minor details of construction within the scope the pumping stopped the incoming sand which 60 the drilling apparatus and. to control the dew 70 an artificial lift where the natural pressure of i being blown out of a well adapted to engage l-pipe is effeetuallypre' go 1- being understood IQO of the claims may be made without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the adfro . apair of stand-pipes 7 vantages of the invention.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is an elevation, partly in section, of a'rotary oil-well drill constructed in accordance with the invention. Fig. 2 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of the upper portion of the well-casing,'illustrating the construction for locking the drillpipe in the well and for preventing the oil from flowing through the top of the casing. Fig. 3 is a horizontal sectional view on the line 3 3 of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 isa similar view on the line 4 4 of Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is 'a horizontal sectional view on the line 5 5 of Fig. 2.

Like numerals of reference design ate correspending ings.

Referring to the drawings, 1 designates a rotary drill-pipe arranged within awell-casing 2 and composed of sections of the usual length connected by couplings 3, which form exterior parts in all the figures of the draw-.

projections and are utilized in the present invention in looking the oil well drill-pipe in the well-casing to prevent the former from being blown out of the well, as has usually been the case when a heavy pressure incident to a natural-flowin g well or gusher is en countered. The drill-pipe is connected at its upper end with a water-swivel 4 and is supported in the usual manner by a cable 5. The water-swivel is connected by a flexible pipe 6 with one of of a pump 8, a pair of stand-pipes being designed to be provided in the usual manner to permit the parts to be readily coupled and uncoupled in supplying sections to the drill-pipe to increase the length of the same. The drill-pipe is rotated in the usual manner by a rotary table 9, supported above the floor of the derrick and operated by a suitable gearing. As this construct'iouis the one in common use in rotary drills, a detail description of the'same is unnecessary.

The well-casing is provided With'a lateral outlet, preferably formed by a T-coupling 10, which is connected with a discharge-pipe 11,

- provided with a valve 12 and arranged toempty into a'tank 13 or the like inthe ordinary manner to permit the water discharged from the well during the drilling operation to be used over again. The discharge-pipe is also adapted to be connected with storagetanks or other receptacles for storing oil flowing from the well after the drilling operation has been completed. The valve enables the flow or output of the well to be controlled. as will'be readily understood. Y The upper end ofthe well-casing is exteriorly threaded at -14-to engage interior screwthreads of a sectional body or casing 15 'of a closure or oil-saver, which is provided with a bearing-forthe rotary drill-pipe, a stufiingbox for preventing the escape ofoil or water or gas, and means for preventingjthe drillthe same is subjected to the'pressure incident-- pipe from being blown out of the casing when po'site sides with perforated the drillpipe to the starting of a gusher or natural-flowing well. two semicylindrical sections provided at opflanges or cars 16 and connected by bolts 17 or other suitable fastening devices adapted to permit the sections to be readily placed around a drill-pipe and removed therefrom, i f desired. The ends 18 and 19 at the top and bottom of the casing or body 15 are interiorly threaded, the lower The casing or body 15 is composed of end being screwed upon the upper end of the well-casing, as clearly illustrated in Fig. 2 of the accompanying drawings. The body or casing 15 is provided near its top with a horizontal supporting flange or partition 20, formed of sections and dividing the interior of the body or casing 15into upper and lower compartments-21 and 22. The upper compartment 21 receives suitable -antifriction devices for engaging the rotary drill-pipe to form a bearing for the same, and these antifriction devices are adjustable and adapted to be drawn outward to permit a coupling of the drill-pipe to pass into the body or casing 15. The antifriction devices preferably consist of balls 23, arranged in suitable grooves of adjustable blocks or sections 24. The grooves form a ball-race, and the blocks or sections, which are adapted to slide inward and outward in the upper compartment, are controlled by screws walls of the body or casing and provided at their outer ends with suitable heads or grips for enabling them to be conveniently rotated. The stufling-box, which is located within the lower compartment of the body or'casing 15, consists of a sectional metallic gland 26, provided with upper and lower horizontal flanges and receiving a suitable packing 27, which is arranged between the flange and which engages the drill-pipe, as clearly shown in Fig. 2. When the packing is in contact with the drill-pipe, the bottom of the gland are spaced from the said drill-pipe and the lower flange is arranged above the adjacent coupling and projects over the plane of the from being 'blowli out of the well-casing. The sections of the gland are engaged by opposite screws 28, which pierce the lower portions of the opposite walls of the body or casing 15 and which are provided at their outer ends with suitable heads or grips In the accompanying drawings the body or casing 15, the device for supporting the-antifriction-balls, and the gland are composed of semicircular sections but they may be constructed in any other desired manner and may consist of a greater number of sections. The drill-pipe-engaging device of the rotary table-cuts into the surface of the pipe, leaving burs and rough portions, which might injure the: packing of the stufling-box but for the upper hearing, which engages the drillpipe and smooths the exterior surface of the flanges at the top and same to form a stop for engagement with the coupling 3 to prevent same and prevents the packing from being injured.

The upper end of the body or casing 15 receives a drill-pipe-engaging device consisting of a sectional collar or bushing 29, having exterior screw-threads 30 and provided with perforated ears or flanges 31, receiving bolts 32 or other suitable fastening devices. The

bolt-s permit a limited separation of the sec tions of the collar or bushing when the same is unscrewed from the upper end of the body or casing 15 to permit the said collar or bushing'to be passed over acoupling of the drillpipe. In practice the collar or bushing after being passed over the coupling will be fitted against the upper edge'of the same to be supported thereby until the coupling passes into the body or casing 15 to admit of the re'e'ngagement of the collar or bushing with the upper interiorly-threaded end 18. The bearings are moved backward when the collar or coupling of the drill-pipe is introduced into the casing or body 15, and the latter is designed to be of suiiicient size to permit the-collar or bushing 29 to be replaced while the coupling is in the upper portion of the casing or body 15 and before the said coupling reaches the stuffing-box. After the collar or bushing has been replaced in the upper end ofthe body or casing the sections of the stuffing-box are drawnoutward or re leased and permitted to move outward to allow the coupling to pass into the well-casing.

- After the coupling has entered the well-cas ing the sections ofthe stuffing-box are adjusted to engage the drill-pipe. This con" struetion enables a stop or locking device to be maintained in operative positionat all times for preventing the drill-pipe from being blown out of the well-easing should it encounter a heavy pressure .at .a time when the coupling is being introduced into the upper end of the well-casing. The stuffingbox and the rotary antifrietion devices permit afree'rotation of the dri1l-pipe; but the pressure may be increased to the desired extent to prevent leakage under abnormal con ditions. 4

The drill-pipe is provided at its lower end with the ordinary fislntail bit or rotary shoe 33, and as a well is drilledwateris introduced into the hole through the aperture of the fish-tail bit or shoe, and the sand, clay,

and other accumulations are carried upward by the water, and the well is maintained thoroughly clean'during the drilling operation and while the pump is in operation. The drill-pipe is designed to remain in a well for use as a rotary agitator after the well has been completely drilled, and the operating mechanism indicated in the accompanying drawings may be employed as the motive power for rotating the drill-pipe for operatin g the well; but any other means may be substituted for the apparatus illustrated in the accompanying drawings to provide a simple and less expensive means foreifeeting this result. When the pressure diminishes within the well and is insufficient to flow the oil, an artificial lift may be provided by introducing any aeriform fluid under pressure into the well by means of the drill-pipe. This .fiuid may consist of compressed air, or gas may be producing well is accessible for this purpose.

. utilized, it frequently happening that a gas- The apparatus will also permit a well to be otherwise treated, it being sometimes advisable to introduce water under pressure for forcing back oil and gas for preventing any tendency to gush. Also it frequently happens in this class of well-drilling that strata of oil containing sand are passed through without knowledge of the fact, the pressure of'the water preventing a fiow of oil and the hole becoming coated with mud in the usual manner; but with the apparatus herein described and shown these oil-containing strata can be worked and may be ascertained by inspeeting the discharge from the lateral openin g of the casing. In boring through a stratum of oil containing sand a quantity of oil is discharged with the water and may be seen as it appears in a rainbow streak or scum at the surface as it floats on the surface of the pool or tank into which the discharge-pipe empties.

- When it is desired to introduce air under pressure into a well, the drill-pipe or rotary agitator is connected with a suitable air-commaybe substituted for the pump shown in the accompanying drawings.

The present invention is also especially designed and adapted for'operating that class of wells which. are at the present time abandoned owing to the excessive per cent. of sand, which with the presentapparatus clogs up the well when the pressure is insufficient to produce a flow of the oil and sand and which when the pressure is sufficient for this purpose either produces an excessive overflow and prevents an operation of the apparatus, and thereby chokes up the well or forms a gusher and blows the drill-pipe out of the well-casing. With the present invention such a result is impossible, as the drill-pipe is securely locked within the well-casing,

pressor, or, in other words, an a'ireompressor IOU which is closed at the top and which is provided with a valved outlet. Also a continuous flowof oil and sand in low-pressure wells may he produced by simultaneously agitating the oil containing sand and introducing a fluid under pressure to produce an artificial lift. By this means many abandoned wells may beadvantageously operated and oil obtained in paying quantities;

Should the presence of the water is clarified and is then rarefied by mixing it with air under pressure. This will permit the oil to flow to enable it tobe ascer-.

oil be discovered,

the combination with a rotary drill-pipe, and a well-casing closed at the top and provided with a lateral opening, of means for securing of a locking device vent the former from being the drill-pipe within the well-casing to preblown out of the latter, substantially as described.

2. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination with a rotary drillpipe, and i well-casin g receiving the drill-pipe and close at the top and provided with a lateral outlet,

comprising a stop connected with the well-casing, and means carried by the drill-pipe for engaging the stop, whereby the said drill-pipe will be prevented from being blown out of the well-casing, substantially as described. Y

3. In an apparatus of .the class described, the combination of a rotary drill-pipe provided with couplings forming exterior shoulders, a well-casing receiving the drill-pipe and closed at the top and provided with a lateral outlet, and a stop carried by the well-casing and arranged in thepath of the shoulders of the drill-pipe, whereby the latter is retained in the well-casing, substantially as described.

4. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of a rotary drill pipe provided with exterior shoulders, a well-casing closed at the top and provided with a lateral opening and receiving the drill-pipe, and a locking device carried by thewell-casin g and arranged to be engaged by the said shoulders to prevent the drillpipe from leaving the well -casing, substantially as described.

5. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of a rotary drill-pipe provided at intervals with couplings, a well casing closed at the top and having a lateral opening, and upper and lower locking devices arranged in the path of the couplings and movable therefrom independently of each other to permit a. coupling-t0 pass them without releasing the drill-pipe, substantiallyas'described.

6.. lnanapparatus of the class described, the combination of a rotary drill-pipe, a wellcasing receiving the'drill-pipe and closed at the top and provided with a lateral outlet,

means for preventing the drill-pipe from leaving the well-casing, means for rotating the same, and means forintroducing a fluid under pressure into the drill-pipe simultaneously with the rotation thereof, substantially as described.

7. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of awell-casing closed at the top and provided with a lateral outlet, a rotary agitator, means for lockin g the rotary agi-' tator within the well-casing, means for operating theagitator, and means for introducing -a fluidunder pressure into a well simultane-' ously with the rotation of the agitator, substantially as described.

8. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of a well-casing having lateral outlet,a drill-pipe arranged in the wellcasing and provided with exterior shoulders;

and a closure for the upper end of the wellcasing, said closure being provided with means for engaging the shoulders of the drillpipe and having a bearing for the same, substantially as described.

the combination with a well-casing, and a rotary drill-pipe provided with exterior shoulders, of a closure for the upper end of the wellcasing comprising 'a hollow body, an adjustable bearing provided with antifriction devices, and a combined stuffing-box and looking device engaging the drill-pipe and normally located inthe substantially as described.

10. In an apparatus'of theclass described, the combination with a well-casing, and a drillpipe provided with couplings, ofa closure for the upper end of the well-casing comprising a hollow body,-a sectional stufiing-box adj ustably mounted within the hollow body and normally arranged within the path of the couplings, a sectional bearing provided with antifriction devices and located within the hollow bod-y,and means for adjusting the sections of the stufling-box and the bearing, substantially as described;

11. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination with a well-casin g, and a drillpipe, of a closure for the top of the same comprising a hollow body provided with upper and lower compartments, a sectional stufiing box arranged in one of the compartments, a

' sectional bearing located in the other compartment, means for adjusting the sections of the bearing and the stuflingbox, and a look- .ing device for engaging the stantially as described.

12. In an-apparat'us of the class described, the combination with a well-casing, and a drillpipe, of a closure for the top of the well-casing provided with a locking device comprising a sectional collar or bushing, substantially as described. f

13. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of awell-casing, a drill-pipe having exterior shoulders, aclosure arranged at the upper end of the well-casing and. provided with interior screw-threads, a sectional threads for engaging the threads of the closure, and means for connecting the sections of. the collar or bushing, substantially as dean adjustable stuffing-box and collar or bushing detachably secured to the hollow body, said collar or bushing and studthe couplings, substantially as described.

' 15. In an apparatus of the class described,

the combination of a rotary drill-pipe, a well- 9. In an apparatus of the class. described,

path of the shoulders,

collar'or bush-ing having exterior screw-.

an adjusta sectional I ing-boxbeing normally located in the path of casing receiving'thc drill-pipe and closed at the top and provided with 'a lateral outlet, means for rotating the same, and means for introducing a fluid under pressure into the drillpipe simultaneously with the rotation thereof, substantially as described.

16. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of a wellcasing closed at the top and provided with a lateral opening, a rotary pipe arranged within the well-casing, means for rotating the pipe and means for introducing a fluid under pressure into-the pipe to provide an artificial lift, and abearing arranged at the top of the Well-casing, substantially as described.-

17. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of a well-casing closed at the top and provided with a lateral opehing or outlet, a pipelocated within the casing,means. for introducing a fluid under pressure into the pipe, and means for simultaneously actuating the same to agitate the sand at the bottom of the well, substantially as described.

18. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination with a well-casing and a rotary drill-pipe, of means for locking the drillpipe against vertical movement to prevent the same from being blown out of the casing, substantially as described. 19. Inan apparatus of the class described,

the combination with a well-casing, off. a rotary drill-pipe, arranged within the well-casing and provided with couplings forming exterior shoulders, and means for engaging the couplings for preventing the drill-pipe from being blown out of the casing, substantially as described.

20. In an apparatus of the class described, v

the combination of a well casing having a lateral outlet, a rotary drill-pipe, a closure for the top of the casing provided with a bearing for the drill-pipe, 'means for introducing a fluid under pressure into the pipe, and means for simultaneously rotating the same to agitate the sand at the bottom of a well, substantially as described. 1

21. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of a wellcasing having a lateral outlet, a rotary drill-pipe provided with couplings forming shoulders, and a closure for the top of the well-casing provided with a bearing arranged in the path of the couplings, substantially as described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixed my signature inthe presence of two witnesses.

I HARRY R. DECKER. Witnesses:

JOHN H. SIGGERS, FLORENCE E. WALTER. 

